Multi-functional endoscopic probe apparatus

A multi-functional endoscopic probe apparatus comprising:

• an elongated multi-lumen tube having at least first and second lumens therethrough and an electro-surgical tip comprising an elongated metallic member slidably situated in one of said lumens for the selective electro-surgical cutting and cauterizing at a distal end of said elongated tube;
• first application means for applying a negative pressure to one of said lumens of said elongated tube;
• second application means for applying an irrigation stream to one of said lumens of said elongated tube;
• third application means for applying an electric voltage to said tip means;
• fourth application means for extending and retracting said tip means relative to the distal end of said elongated tube;
• fifth application means for rotating said elongated tube and tip means relative to said handle means;
• and
• handle means for enabling said apparatus to be conveniently held and operatively controlled with one hand as to all functions provided by each of said application means, said handle means attached to a proximal end of said elongated tube and wherein said handle means comprises:
• first control means for selectively operating said first application means;
• second control means for selectively operating said second application means;
• third control means for selectively operating said third application means;
• fourth control means for operating said fourth application means;
• fifth control means for operating said fifth application means;
• and
• wherein said second control means comprises first means for directing fluid flow to said second lumen, and second means for directing fluid flow to a third lumen, and wherein said third lumen is substantially smaller in cross-sectional area than said second lumen such that a relatively small, high velocity irrigation stream is provided through said third lumen, and a relatively large, low velocity irrigation stream is provided through said second lumen.

A multi-functional endoscopic probe apparatus comprising:

• an elongated tube comprising a multi-lumen having at least first, second, and third lumens therethrough and an electro-surgical tip comprising an elongated metallic member slidably situated in one of said lumens for the selective electro-surgical cutting and cauterizing at a distal end of said elongated tube;
• first application means for applying a negative pressure to said second lumen of said elongated tube and connected to said second lumen such that the negative pressure is selectively applied to said second lumen;
• second application means for applying an irrigation stream to said first lumen of said elongated tube and connected to said second lumen such that the fluid flow therethrough is selectively applied to a second one of said lumens;
• third application means for applying an electric voltage to said tip means;
• fourth application means for extending and retracting said tip means relative to the distal end of said elongated tube;
• fifth application means for rotating said elongated tube and tip means relative to said handle means;
• and
• handle means for enabling said apparatus to be conveniently held and operatively controlled with one hand as to the plurality of functions provided by each of said application means, said handle means attached to a proximal end of said elongated tube, said handle means comprising:
• first control means for selectively operating said first application means;
• second control means for selectively operating said second application means;
• third control means for selectively operating said third application means;
• fourth control means for operating said fourth application means;
• and
• fifth control means for operating said fifth application means;
• and
• wherein said second control means comprises first means for directing fluid flow to said second lumen, and second means for directing fluid flow to said third lumen.

A multi-functional endoscopic probe apparatus comprising:

• an elongated tube comprising a multi-lumen having at least first, second, and third lumens therethrough and an electro-surgical tip comprising an elongated metallic member slidably situated in one of said lumens for the selective electro-surgical cutting and cauterizing at a distal end of said elongated tube;
• first application means for applying a negative pressure to said second lumen of said elongated tube and connected to said second lumen such that the negative pressure is selectively applied to said second lumen;
• second application means for applying an irrigation stream to said first lumen of said elongated tube and connected to said second lumen such that the fluid flow therethrough is selectively applied to a second one of said lumens;
• third application means for applying an electric voltage to said tip means;
• fourth application means for extending and retracting said tip means relative to the distal end of said elongated tube;
• fifth application means for rotating said elongated tube and tip means relative to said handle means;
• and
• handle means for enabling said apparatus to be conveniently held and operatively controlled with one hand as to the plurality of functions provided by each of said application means, said handle means attached to a proximal end of said elongated tube, said handle means comprising:
• first control means for selectively operating said first application means;
• second control means for selectively operating said second application means and comprising first means for directing fluid flow to said second lumen, and second means for directing fluid flow to said third lumen;
• third control means for selectively operating said third application means and comprising first means for the application of a voltage at a first frequency such that sufficient electrical energy is provided at said tip means for cutting tissue, and second means for the application of a voltage at a second frequency such that sufficient electrical energy is provided at said tip means for cauterizing tissue;
• fourth control means for operating said fourth application means;
• and
• fifth control means for operating said fifth application means;
• and
• connector means for directing fluid flow, said connector means being responsive and selectively controlled at an outlet end thereof by one of said first control means and said first means for directing fluid flow, and said connector means being in fluid communication through an outlet end thereof with said second lumen.